This year was different from the previous years. The year started with some uncertainties due to the floodings but we still managed to go on with our different activities and see God’s hand working in our lives. This years’ school Value is RESPECT.
“So, God created humankind in His image; in the image of God he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). RESPECT – We are reminded that we should think of others first, affirming and upholding the humanity and dignity of all.
We are also pleased to be guided by this year’s Special Character team, pictured in the photo above.
Staff Pilgrimage to Hokianga
The senior leadership team, teachers and the 2023 prefect team attended a pilgrimage to the Hokianga at the end of January 2023 to learn about the history of Catholicism in New Zealand, visiting Totara Point, the site of the first mass celebrated by Bishop Pompellier on 13 January 1838. The students were left with a greater understanding of the whakapapa of the faith in Aotearoa. This was also a great opportunity for the 2023 prefects to come together as a team and was a wonderful way to the start the year!
Staff Retreat
At the beginning of the year, the staff were inspired through the retreat that was facilitated by the Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS). This has uplifted the spirits of the staff that helped them realise God’s love. They were guided to doing different activities to help them see the importance of respect for self and others.
Dedication Mass
The Dedication Mass was done face to face after 2 years of doing it through Zoom. The Principal together with some staff represented the school. The mass was presided by Bishop Steve and were concelebrated by the different parish priests of Auckland. There were some staff that were recognized for the accomplishment of the RE and Theology PD courses.
The Opening and Ash Wednesday Mass
The mass was presided by Fr. Sherwin Lapaan who inspired the school community to live a meaningful life. He focused on the hyphen (dash) between the year of birth and the year of death encouraging the school to make this year a great one.
The Prefects were also blessed by Fr. Sherwin and the school community.
We were also reminded that we are dust and will return to dust. Click this link for more detail.
Year 13 Retreat
The retreat began with a mass that was presided by Fr. Craig at Eastern Beach. The students were then led to the different activities that were prepared for them held at Willow Park Christian Convention Centre. Most of them also received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At the end of the retreat, the students also listened to a guest speaker who spoke about making good decisions in the light of God. Click the following link for more detail Year 13 Retreat | Sancta Maria College
These are the remaining school Retreats and Special Character events coming up…
| Date | Time | Activity | Venue |
| 10 March | 8:00am – 3:00pm | Year 7 Retreat | Auditorium |
| 17March | 8:00am – 3:00pm | Year 8 Retreat | Auditorium |
| 24 March | 8:00am – 3:00pm | Year 9 Retreat | Auditorium |
| 28 April | 8:00am – 3:00pm | Year 11 Retreat | Auditorium |
| 19 May | 8:00am – 3:00pm | Year 12 Retreat | Auditorium |
| 22 – 26 May | Special Character Week | ||
| 26 May 2023 | Feast day Mass | Auditorium | |
| 26 May 2023 | 4:00 – 11:00pm | Caritas Challenge | Auditorium and GYM |
Caritas
The work has already begun for Caritas. At the start of the year, they have already made an appeal for the cyclone victims as a response to the call of the Auckland Diocese. They had a fund-raising concert that inspired the listeners and have collected enough to share to the victims.
They have also started with these projects: Koha boxes as part of the Lenten Appeal, Singout4Justice which is different this year as this competition is focused on performance rather than the song writing and the Kaitiaki2Share, which is a creative idea competition on caring for creation based on the Catholic Social Teachings.
Lunch Time Mass
The year started right with a huge number of students wanting to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Both the local and international students have attended the first masses of the year. We continue to encourage everyone to attend and receive the sanctifying grace.
Special Character Groups
We have added and made some changes with the Special Character Group offerings for 2023 in response to the survey that was made at the end of the year. We have also tapped several staff members who willingly said yes to sharing their time and talents with the students.
| Special Character Group | Objectives | Tasks | Teacher-in-charge |
| Caritas | Open the eyes and ears of the school community to the needs of the world | 1. Makes the students aware of what is going on around them – the struggles of people around the world. | Miss Alethea Smith Mr. Callum MacLeod Ms Amara KavernAssisted by: Mr. Omar Tamayo |
| SMC Vinnies | · Make the students act to the needs of the community
· Protect the members of the school |
1. Provides opportunities for students to reach-out to poor people in the community
2. Finds out people in school who are in need or are struggling 3. Finds ways to reach out to these people |
Mrs. Yolande Williams
Assisted by: |
| Breakfast Club | Provide for students who are in need | 1. Helps students who are struggling with food | Mrs. Prue Rehu |
| St. Columban Mission Society | Provide opportunities for the school community to protect and serve mother nature supported by the Catholic Teachings | 1. Come up with projects/solutions to protect mother nature.
2. Ties up with the Enviro Team |
Mrs. Joanne Al-Rubaie
Assisted by:
|
| Laudato Si Circle | Promote the message of Pope Francis on Caring for the Environment | 1. Allow students to understand the Theology on the Environment
2. Open up avenues for students to share their faith in relation to the environment |
Mr. Daniel Bidwell |
| Caring Group | Make the students feel safe in the school community | 1. Provides opportunities for students to open up
2. Allows students to express themselves without being judged |
Ms. Eleanor Purchase Mr. Colin Didier’Serre Mercy EdwardAssisted by: Mr. Omar Tamayo |
| Marian Group | Make the students know more about Jesus and the values of Mary | 1. Provides opportunities for students to break open the Word of God
2. Allows students to learn about the scriptures and see its value in their lives |
Mr. Omar Tamayo
Assisted by: |
| Liturgy Committee | Ensure that the Liturgical activities of the school are in place | 1. Prepares the liturgy for the school
a. Materials b. Decorations c. Eucharistic Ministers 2. Encourages the school community to be part of all the liturgical activities. |
Mr. Omar Tamayo
Assisted by:
|
| Choir and Band | Ensures that songs are prepared and are liturgically correct | 1. Prepares the musical pieces needed for masses and liturgies
2. Rehearses the band and choir 3. Rehearses the whole school in preparation for the mass |
Mrs. Sarah Maddison |
| Lectors and Altar Servers Guild | Ensure that the readers and altar servers are prepared and able to do their duty in masses | 1. Provides training of Lectors and Altar Servers
2. Prepares the roster of Lectors and Altar Servers for the mass |
Miss Alethea Smith |
| Catholic Youth Ministry International | Train students to be faith-filled leaders who would inspire other students to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. | 1. Provides opportunities for students to develop their skills as leaders.
2. Provides opportunities for students to deepen their faith. |
Mr. Cedric Piggin
Assisted by: |
| Pompallier Shield | Ensure that the school is well-prepared for the inter-school competition | 1. Taps and rehearses students for the competition
2. Prepares all the necessary details for the event |
Miss Verna Oliver
Assisted by: |
| Stella Maris | · Prepare the students for Pompallier Shield
· Give Intermediate Students a focus on the Scriptures |
1. Prepares the Contest materials and procedures
2. Gives direction to Intermediate Staff to prepare the students. |
Miss Verna Oliver
Assisted by: |
God Bless,
Mr. Omar Tamayo
